Millennium Park, Chicago

Home , Chase Promenade, Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, Millennium Park, Wrigley Square

AN EXAMPLE OF URBAN PARK PLANNING AND DESIGN Location A park was envisioned for the Chicago Lakefront as a part of the “Burnham Plan.”

Burnham envisioned a “frontyard” for the city.

Approximate location of Millennium Park

A portion of modern day Grant Park Birdseye view of development as it would have occurred in the Burnham Plan. Millennium Park Grant Park

Current Park Map The park is a “green roof”

Train Train Characteristics of Interest

 The park site was a surface parking lot for 900 cars in 1997  Park was completed in 2004  24 acres in size; approximately 12 acres of hard surface and 12 of green  Base cost: approx. $500 million - $220 million raised by private donors; $270 from city  Research indicated that it was the #1 urban tourist attraction in the US in 2006 (higher than Las Vegas and Central Park) and remains in top 5  Estimate $2.6 billion annually in tourist spending related to the park  Over 1000 FTEs created by the park (e.g., visitor service) Characteristics of Interest (continued)

 Ten new condo projects in last 5 years (over 3,600 units) adjacent to the park  Property values around the park have risen 40% more than those just a few blocks away  Revenue from garages and a TIF are being used to pay off the debt (bonds)  The park is not part of the local park district but is managed by Millennium Park Inc. (501-C3) and Dept. of Cultural Affairs  The park is “owned” by the City of Chicago  Revenue from bus stop advertising across the entire city is used to maintain the park A Tour of the Park Starting from underneath

In the parking garage Harris Theater for Music and Dance

The theater is underground and well below the water table Harris Theater Roof

A “left over space” turned event site. McDonald’s Cycle Center

Rent bikes to tourists and store bikes for commuters Pritzger Pavilion

- Blue Grass Turf - Is cordoned off at times Choice of Seating

Free concerts every Friday during summer

Just starting an international music festival – free concerts every day of the week Overhead Structure

Designed to create roof effect and to support sound system

Unexpected bonus – Canadian Geese won’t fly through. AT&T Plaza & Cloud Gate “The Bean”

Beautiful sculpture but “gate” is a misnomer Cloud Gate (The Bean)

Made of 168 stainless steel $70, 000 spent to clean plates welded and buffed finger prints annually The Bean

Reflects people and the Roost for gulls city McCormick Tribune Plaza

Dining in summer Free skating in winter Chase Promenade South

Burnham Pavilions How visitors behave in parks

Nice climbing challenge Had to retrofit and sign it Lurie Garden

Water to touch Native plants, prairie look The park is comprised of many room like areas

In the Lurie Garden designers The steel form is an artistic used the garden hedge as a wall frame for the hedge BP Bridge (pedestrian only)

Also a Gehry design, serpentine form reflects the pavilion Turned out to be a good sound barrier Crown Fountain

Very touchable water People playing become a show for others Crown Fountain

Filmed faces of "regular" Yet another room in the Chicago residents are rotated park – another experience Wrigley Square

Formal, reflects Roman Quieter “room” not as columns found around the city much activity Take Home Points

 The park was planned, designed and constructed through political will (Mayor Daley) and a public private partnership  The park is one of many in US at the heart of major urban revitalization projects – most are also partnerships (e.g., The High Line in NYC; Discovery Green in Houston)  Major implications for local jobs and revenue through tourism the park generates  People are moving into this downtown area because of the park Take Home Points

 Elevation differences, vegetation and some structures create “room” like experiences throughout the park.  Good design incorporates thought about what visitors will do:  Touch  Sit, Lay  Climb  Roll, Slide  Splash  Watch  How does wildlife figure in?  Birds will roost and poop  People are interested in it (not the poop:)  Can become dependent pests (not good for them or visitors)